There had been some debate as to whether or not a county that so heavily favored Scott Walker last November would have the signatures to recall Republican Sen. Robert Cowles, but the organization working toward that end today announced that it had achieved its goal.

A recall petition against Cowles will be submitted to the Government Accountability Board this Thursday, putting the number of Republican senators facing recall elections at six after signatures were delivered against Alberta Darling on April 21. Three Democratic senators - Dave Hansen, Robert Wirch, and Jim Holperin - have also had recall petitions filed against them.

That puts the total number of Wisconsin senators now facing recall elections at nine. There have only been four recall elections in the history of the state up to this point.

Incumbents have 10 days after signatures are filed to issue a complaint challenging the validity of the petitions. So far Republican Senators Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper have done so, and the WisDems will likely do the same.

Meanwhile, due to the unprecedented number of recalls facing the state the GAB has stated that it will attempt to consolidate the various elections so as to avoid "confusion." This would likely involve extending the current 31-day review period for petitions.

Emily Mills

Editor-At-Large

Emily Mills is Editor-At-Large for Dane101, as well as Editor of Our Lives Magazine. She is also a freelance writer, photographer, actor, and musician (drummer and singer in local band Little Red Wolf). Originally from several states up and down the Midwest Emily has called Madison home since 2000. Contact her at